Buying a car wash brush isn’t always the most straightforward task. Do you know the best car wash brush that won’t scratch paintwork? Sadly, the market is packed with many cheaply made and practically useless products. We know you need brushes that won’t scratch paintwork.
Gone are the days when we paid for our car wash with quarters. Nowadays, we pay with cards for a wash that’s also exceptionally more expensive than it used to be.
Having your carwash brush can help a great deal. Not only you’d save some money on these commercial washes, but you’d also possibly do a better job. We have also reviewed the best car wash soap, so check that post out, as these two tools will come in handy.
Table of Contents
Why Should You Have A Car Wash Brush?
Washing your car can be fun, and many car owners claim that nobody can do a better car cleaning job than themselves.
Cleaning your car yourself can save you some serious money, especially if your car gets dirty often. Off-roaders should take note!
Quality washing products combined with a good brush are essential. These will allow you to complete the task quickly and with impressive results.
In most cases, you’ll be able to clean your car just as well without leaving home or spending too much money.
Are Car Wash Brushes Bad For Car Paint?
One of the first things people ask is if these brushes are safe. Almost all quality brushes sold by reputable brands are entirely safe and won’t damage the car’s paint job.
No brush can cause damage, as long as your car has its original paint or was painted by a professional. Be careful if that wasn’t the case, and you had it repainted by a non-professional. Test the brush on a small area that’s in an inconspicuous place.
There are universal standards that cleaning supply brands have to abide by. Reputable brands test their product before they launch them, so they make sure no bristles will damage the paint job in any way.
If you scrub too hard with a car wash brush or for too long, it WILL damage the paint on your car. Make sure you choose a good quality brush, follow their suggestions for using it, and don’t go overboard.
Most of them have soft bristles, but you can never be too careful.
What Type Of Car Wash Brushes Don’t Scratch Paintwork?
You want something practical and robust that won’t scratch your car’s paint. We’ve listed only the car wash brushes that WON’T scratch the paintwork here.
So please read on before you opt for any particular brush.
Another thing to keep in mind is that there are many different types of brushes. For example, some brushes are specially made for wheels, bumpers, side skirts, and rims.
These are usually strong and have rougher bristles that could scratch the paint if used on the rest of the vehicle.
Before you choose a brush, you must read the instructions it came with since there you will find how safe it is to use on certain parts of your vehicle.
We’ve spent hours researching the best car wash brushes.
Continue reading to find out about these top products the industry has to offer at the moment. These are quality, well-designed, easy, and safe to use, so it’s just a matter of finding the one that suits you and your vehicle the best.
The Best Car Wash Brushes That Won’t Scratch Paintwork
Here are the best and most effective car wash brushes in 2023, reviewed and compared in no particular order.
I’ve made sure the links open in new tabs, and I also list the pros and cons of each one.
Carrand 92022S Flow-Thru Deluxe
If you want something to help you with in-depth cleaning, the Carrand Flow-Thru is one of the best choices. On the other hand, this might be the brush for you if you take cleaning seriously.
It has an 8″ brush head that’s ideal for most standard-sized vehicles. All its bristles are super soft, and it also features rubber bumpers to prevent any scratches or potential damage.
The telescoping pole connects to a hose and extends to 40 inches. This allows for more natural cleaning and less strain on the person cleaning. The on/off switch controls the water flow.
One of the best things is its fan spray rinse that rinses as you clean. It’s a great feature, especially if you have a large car or a truck that gets very dirty.
Pros Of The Carrand Flow-Thru
- Soft bristles
- Connects to a hose
- Rinses as you clean
Cons Of The Carrand Flow-Thru
- It might be too short for some
Carrand 93210 Long Chenille Microfiber Mop
If you like to keep your car clean and wash it often, you should consider this mop. This is one of the brushes that won’t scratch paintwork.
While the Carrand is considered a brush, it’s a mop ideal for keeping your vehicle clean with regular washing.
This one features a chenille microfiber bonnet that’s highly absorbent and collects even the smallest particles of dust and dirt.
It’s attached to a 48-inch telescoping pole that allows you to reach some different areas of the car. You can also detach it from the rod if you want to get in-depth with hand-cleaning.
It’s an ideal option if you like deep cleaning. However, it might not be the best if you’re looking to clean heavy-duty mud because the bristles are so soft. It’s more suitable for maintaining the car clean than cleaning the dried mud off of it.
Check Price On AmazonPros Of The Carrand Long Chenille
- Highly absorbent
- Great for detailed cleaning
- Has an extension pole
Cons Of The Carrand Long Chenille
- Too soft for some jobs
Amazon Basics Drain Cleaning Brush
This is a wheel brush, so it’s not recommended you use it on any other parts of the car. However, it’s suitable for wheels and rims as it gets most of the dirt and dust from them.
The soft bristles are heavy-duty enough to get the dirt off the wheels but still not damage any paint off the rims.
To be sure, the manufacturer added a rubberized bumper along the edge that protects the pain even more while you’re scrubbing.
There’s also rubber on the handle, so it’s not slippery even when wet. The handle is 10.6 inches, while the bristles are 2-3/4 inches long. It’s easy to store away since you can hang or tuck it somewhere in your garage.
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Pros Of The Amazon Basics
- Rubberized bumper and grip
- Easy to store away
- It can be used on rims too
Cons Of The Amazon Basics
- Handle detaches often
Mothers Wheel Brush
This is another brush specially designed for bumpers, tires, and fenders. For this reason, you shouldn’t use it on any other parts as it might damage them.
It’s ideal for people who like to go in-depth with their cleaning since it’s practical and easy to use. In addition, the 6-inch handle is sturdy and rubberized, so it doesn’t slip when wet.
On top of that, the brush features rubber bumpers to protect your vehicle.
However, the bristles are soft and gentle to your tires, bumpers, and fenders. As a result, they will get most of the heavy-duty dirt from these parts of your car.
Spray the wheel cleaner of your choice and wait a couple of minutes. Then just wet the brush with some soap before you start getting the dirt off.
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Pros Of The Mothers Wheel
- Ideal for details
- Non-slippery grip
- It has a rubber bumper
Cons Of The Mothers Wheel
- Sparse bristles
Star Brite Deluxe Brush Combo
If you’re planning to clean your car every week, this might be the best brush. The combination of its specifications makes it suitable for all kinds of vehicles, and even some boats.
It’s made of high-strength aluminum, one of the most durable yet lightweight materials for this type of product. The brush is medium-duty and measures 8 inches.
It features special all-purpose fibers and a rubberized bumper to protect the paint job further.
These are polymer fibers that won’t become brittle or stain. It withstands most chemicals and heats up to even 200°F. The brush also cannot rot or absorb odors.
Its handle measures 3’6″, ideal for larger cars and even trucks. People use it for boats, too, because the brush cannot sink in water.
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Pros Of The Star Brite
- It doesn’t absorb odors
- Floats in water
- Large handle
Cons Of The Star Brite
- The handle cannot be easily tightened
Chemical Guys – brushes that won’t scratch paintwork
It’s a 20-inch long angled head with 2-inch bristles that are chemical-resistant.
The bristles are soft and gentle on the vehicle but will tackle all dirt, grime, and grease.
This is an excellent brush for all people who treat their cars with weekly cleaning sessions.
This is best for tires, wheels, suspension parts, and undercarriages. Most people use it for these parts, though the extended handle gives you an excellent reach to different parts of your car. In addition, the overall construction allows you to reach those low spots without bending down.
It’s important to mention that the bristles are compatible with all kinds of chemical cleaners as it’s resistant and nearly impossible to damage. In addition, the handle is resistant to abrasion because it’s injection-molded from heavy-duty plastic.
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Pros Of The Chemical Guys
- Feather-like bristles
- Angled head
- Resistant to abrasion and chemicals
Cons Of The Chemical Guys
- Not for painted wheels
360°Automatic Rotate Car Washing Brush
This automatic rotating technology will be relatively new to the market in 2021.
Due to being relatively unknown, some people are skeptical about it though there’s no reason. The good thing about it is that it requires no electricity but works with water power.
Once you connect it to the tap, it rotates automatically due to the high pressure. In addition, it features a red knob that allows you to control the load with the three levels.
Put the detergent of your choice into the reservoir to produce high-density foam. This is ideal for all parts of your car, including windows and floors. The handle is adjustable so that you can reach all areas without hassle.
This one comes with two extenders to use depending on the size of your car and the areas you’re trying to reach.
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Pros Of The Hstyaig
- Rotating
- It doesn’t require electricity
- Suitable for all parts
Cons Of The Hstyaig
- It takes a while to get the hang of it
Carrand 38″ Wash N’ Jet Brush
It’s no surprise that Carrand found so many places on our list. Theirs are among the most popular car brushes, and Wash N’ Jet is something you should try.
It features a pivoting head that follows all the contours while remaining tightly on the car’s surface. In addition, the 3-way water control allows you to control the flow according to what you’re cleaning.
The off switch helps keep the water away when you’re not using the brush. The jet switch provides a powerful stream that’s best for loose dirt.
Last but not least is the wash setting which provides a low-pressure rinse for when you’re nearly done with your cleaning. The handle is 38″ long and makes an ideal tool for hard-to-reach areas of all-size cars and trucks.
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Pros Of The Carrand 38″
- Pivoting head
- Great flow control
- Ideal for weekly maintenance
Cons Of The Carrand 38″
- Bristles might be too hard for some parts
Anngrowy 62″ Microfiber Car Wash Brush
If connecting a hose doesn’t sound like something you want to do, opt for a more standard brush like the C80088 Easy Stick.
It’s suitable to use in your entire car, but only if professionally painted.
Fill a bucket with a gallon of water and use the brush to wash the entire car. Of course, you can add any detergent of your liking to the water. The stick then draws up to 18 oz. of water into the handle for more convenient cleaning.
It’s ideal for traveling as it’s easy to carry around and effective against even the most persistent dirt. The 56″ long handle allows you to reach all areas with ease. Its head measures 9″ and is resistant to odors and chemicals.
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Pros Of The AutoRight
- Easy to use
- Reduces water waste
- Long handle
Cons Of The AutoRight
- A little flimsy when fully extended
Ettore 59072 Extend-A-Flo
Ettore has a wide range of products to offer, and one of its most popular is the Extend-A-Flow auto scrub brush.
People mostly like its long handle, functionality, practical brush head, and overall quality.
It extends 72 inches, which is the most extended handle on our list. You can connect it to a hose with any standard connector. In addition, it features a switch to control the flow or stop it when the brush is not used. Another great thing is the excellent grip that’s specially contoured to your fingers. As a result, it’s never slippery, not even when wet.
The head features fiberglass and rubber bumpers that do a fantastic job of protecting your car while scrubbing. These are 2.5″ long, soft, and suitable for all paint jobs. In addition, the head is 10 inches wide and covers large surfaces, which is perfect for big cars, windows, and other areas.
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Pros Of The Ettore
- Long and soft bristles
- Extra-long handle
- Connects to a hose
Cons Of The Ettore
- The head loosens sometimes
Further Reviews
We hope you’ve found your brushes that won’t scratch paintwork in our review. Also, check out our car wash soap review to get the best car wash soap to go with your new brush.
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